carson
Well-known member
What's going on with dental repair fees?
My regular dentist recommended that I get a root canal on one my my teeth. Seems like regular dentists don't perform that procedure anymore.
So I went on a search for an Endotontist in the area. I found one about 60 miles away, one that would honor my insurance plan. He belongs to the plan, which simply means that I am authorized to get a 25% discount; the remainder is my expense.
I called to make an appointment, no problem; got a price quoted starting at $900 to $1300.
The lower fee covers simple procedures of a front tooth a with single root nerve. (Back molars are much harder to do as they are difficult to access and also have several nerves to be extracted.)
My tooth was right in front next to the bicuspid; great, small fee. But that's not what happened. Then he presented the fee: $1300 minus 25%.
I said whoa, how come and discussed my disappointment with that. He then said well why don't we split it between us, I'll charge $1100 less 25%. I hummed and hawed and basically had no choice but to shell over $825.00. (I had expected to only pay $675.00)
The procedure was so minor, he actually only spent about 10 minutes on the actual tooth repair. The remaining time was prep and finish-up by an assistant.
Something smells unethical to me here. Am I wrong?
Live and learn, carson FL
My regular dentist recommended that I get a root canal on one my my teeth. Seems like regular dentists don't perform that procedure anymore.
So I went on a search for an Endotontist in the area. I found one about 60 miles away, one that would honor my insurance plan. He belongs to the plan, which simply means that I am authorized to get a 25% discount; the remainder is my expense.
I called to make an appointment, no problem; got a price quoted starting at $900 to $1300.
The lower fee covers simple procedures of a front tooth a with single root nerve. (Back molars are much harder to do as they are difficult to access and also have several nerves to be extracted.)
My tooth was right in front next to the bicuspid; great, small fee. But that's not what happened. Then he presented the fee: $1300 minus 25%.
I said whoa, how come and discussed my disappointment with that. He then said well why don't we split it between us, I'll charge $1100 less 25%. I hummed and hawed and basically had no choice but to shell over $825.00. (I had expected to only pay $675.00)
The procedure was so minor, he actually only spent about 10 minutes on the actual tooth repair. The remaining time was prep and finish-up by an assistant.
Something smells unethical to me here. Am I wrong?
Live and learn, carson FL
